Pack Suggestions

Okay, so I want a pack that is somewhere inbetween my two current bc packs (well, really a replacement for pack #2):

1- TNF Chilkats pack, great for yo-yo/heli very short tours rides super well has a bladder etc...pretty small and not the best at carrying skis but comfortably carries loads much heavier than its size would suggest. I have no idea how big it is but I feel like if it were just a tiny bit larger I'd be good.

2- BD Snow Pack, pretty old - good for a full day but doesn't ride really that great and has no bladder pocket also, not the best at carrying skis, plus I don't care for the shovel pocket (holy shit! that's whiney, it isn't a bad pack)

So I'd like something closer to the BD pack size wise but with the features (internal snow safety organization, bladder pocket) of the Chilkats and that carries big skis better than either can.

Thinking maybe ~2,000cu or less...perhaps (since I have no idea how big either of the above is). I do not carry the kitchen sink but do like to bring a little more than is strictly necessary. Will be my whole day-tour and spring descent pack.

Dakine Blade or Poacher, great packs that won't break the bank. Then again, a quick visit to Dakine.com would have told you that.

I was thinking the BCA Stash BC looks pretty sweet.

Black Diamond Stealth With a few quibles, it's a decent pack.

I'll say as I always have, get an Ortovox. This looks like a good size as well.

http://www.backcountry.com/store/ORT...1770cu-in.html

I was going to post the same question...my old Quest is pretty beat.

Marmot La Meije looks like it could be a contender.

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Originally Posted by iceman

I was thinking the BCA Stash BC looks pretty sweet.

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I have one from 2 years ago when you could have any colour as long as it's black. I have no idea if they've changed but...
- The shovel pocket is a side zip which isn't convenient for getting the shovel in and out. Plus it won't take bigger shovels. Plus the shovel handle goes in the main pocket.

- It has waterproof zippers but the fabric isn't waterproof. What's the point of that?

I like the Stash BC.

My only complaint is that the shoulder straps are a little on the wide/bulky side. Love the bladder in the shoulder strap execution. Haven't had an iced bladder since. Holds skis great. Very nice organization. Its around 2000 but snugs down nice and tight and has become my one bc pack for in or out of bounds. Its definitely lower profile/smaller than the poacher. Perfect for day trips as long as you aren't carrying tons of clothes or want to put your helmet inside the pack. Definitely a solid choice. The only other thing I have seen make me jealous was Osprey. Nice features although it is fairly heavy.

I have the Blade and can't complain too much although it suffers what all DaKine packs do - too much crap all over it and not enough interior space. The design breaks up the space between the main compartment and the shovel flap, limiting what the pack can do and it is honestly kind of a heiffer - but the ski carry is nice (although I don't like diagonal for long hauls) and it is burly. Plus you can pick it up on ebay sometimes for really cheap. My next pack is going to be a BD I think...lighter, faster, easier...

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Originally Posted by Snow Dog

I have one from 2 years ago when you could have any colour as long as it's black. I have no idea if they've changed but...
- The shovel pocket is a side zip which isn't convenient for getting the shovel in and out. Plus it won't take bigger shovels. Plus the shovel handle goes in the main pocket.

- It has waterproof zippers but the fabric isn't waterproof. What's the point of that?

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Dude, try throwing the skins in the side zip compartment and the shovel in the main next to its handle. I did it like you for the first tour and quickly realized the shovel fits much easier/better in the main compartment with its handle.

I also like how this one doesn't have straps, buckles, etc hanging off it all over the place like a DaKine. The DaKine's are better if you like to strap things on all over the place and you can't beat them on the price/value but I like my Stash BC a lot more than the Heli Pro I had. Its much simpler, cleaner design and lighter

I went to the BCA clinic this morning and I have to say I was rather impressed with their gear. I thought the rationale of putting the shovel blade inside the pack makes sense and I like the idea of dedicated snow safety pockets. They make a larger pack that accommodates a nalgene bottle - rather than a bladder - for those people that actually camp and don't like the idea of pouring water from a bladder for cooking, etc. BCA packs will carry your skis a-frame or diagonally.

[/BCA commercial]

Osprey. Pricey, but far and away the best packs I have ever used, and super nice people to boot.

I was at REI the other day and saw their "fall line" pack. It looked pretty sweet. Much better designed than my Dakine IMHO. The Dakine does have way too many straps/flappy things. My backpacking pack is an osprey. One of the best peices of outdoor gear I have ever know. I'd definatly chose one of theirs for a backcountry pack if I had the dough. Personally, I'm waiting for a deal on Steep and Cheap or I'm gonna get the REI.

I have an Osprey Zealot (multi-day ski mountaineering pack) that is absolutely the best pack I have ever used - narrow profile, enough room for a week in Denali BC (summer) and made with spectra ripstop. Plus the Zealot dates back from when they actually made the packs in CO, instead of that other C place. If anyone runs across one, I wholly recommend.

Stash BC

Osprey Switch packs in various sizes. You can get to everything you need without taking it off. You should buy mine.

another vote for the BCA stash BC. I'm not very particular about pack features--I think this one has a few too many, actually--but it rides really, really well.

Some nice pieces here -
http://www.deuterusa.com/alpine1.html

The guide 35 and explorer are both nice and the freerider is exactly the size you're looking for.

Wookey Sundog. I like it. Get a medium, not a large (made that mistake).

If you ever strap your skis to your pack, and you aren't using a diagonal system, you're pretty fucking wierd. If you need a pack to carry a diaper and some water, then it doesn't really matter.

LB- if you can fit the small 13-18" size you can buy mine (brand new):http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MESE%3AIT&rd=1

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Originally Posted by BakerBoy

If you ever strap your skis to your pack, and you aren't using a diagonal system, you're pretty fucking wierd. If you need a pack to carry a diaper and some water, then it doesn't really matter.

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http://www.students.washington.edu/p...nza/pics/4.JPG


:rolleyes:

Have used an Osprey Eclipse 36 for a few years now and it is an excellentpack, though too big for the majority of my needs. Perfect for hut trips, 2-3 day summer trips when traveling light, and longer/bigger tours. Hoever, my desire for a smaller package for the everyday tour puts me in the same shoes as you, and I would reccommend osprey as a stellar product, i have settled on switch 25 as my choice... Jesus, i just looked up how much it retails for at backcountry.com... $150 is a lot of cash for a freakin pack!!

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Originally Posted by BakerBoy

If you ever strap your skis to your pack, and you aren't using a diagonal system, you're pretty fucking wierd.

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http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...0&23post508059

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Originally Posted by Sphinx

http://www.students.washington.edu/p...nza/pics/4.JPG


:rolleyes:

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that is a really wierd pic...

Another vote for the Osprey Switch 25 +5. Great pack and I know really fat skiis can fit through the loops because I can get my split board through them in ski mode, just barely. I like the way it allows me to organize my gear, especially the avy tools pocket up front. Hip belt pockets carry my compass/ slope meter, folded map, etc, just the right size for a long day and works for late fall overnighters with a bivy.

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Originally Posted by yesIsaidyes

that is a really wierd pic...

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Why is that?

i was being sarcastic... ;)

Doh!

My brain appears to be off.

LB - Everyone at work loves the Osprey Switch series...I'm thinking of picking one up one of these days.

I second the Stash BC...love my old Stash, still going strong after 4 years of abuse. I got a Marmot Eiger last year and while it's just a rucksack it's really nice. BD's also have a nice line this year. Lots of good options out there.

Just bought a DAKINE Pro II Backpack at Steep and Cheap for the outrageous sum of $39.38. 1550 ci, diagonal carry, hydration sleeve, not a lot of stuff flapping around. These should sell out fast.

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Originally Posted by iceman

I was thinking the BCA Stash BC looks pretty sweet.

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I bought a lot of BCA stuff last year, and I have found a lot of it to be mediocre.

The Stash BC that I own has holes that have worn through near the ski straps from the male-side of the velcro. The compression straps at the bottom are showing evidence of stitch pull, as well. The resevoir leaks at the bite valve after one season, and it has frozen in its zip-up, supposedly freeze-proof housing on a few occasions.

The ergonomics of this pack rock. It is super comfy, and stays close enough to my back when fully loaded that I feel comfortable spinning with it on. Other packs throw off my balance when I try to do tricks - maybe I just suck, but this pack doesn't do that to me. I dig the shovel blade pocket, and skin storage pocket inside.

Great ergos, not very durable. Price was pretty good, but not so if you consider that i will soon have to buy another pack after only 1.25 seasons worth of use. (About 80 days, +/-).

You can do worse, but you can do better.

While I think the BCA pack has some neat things that the Dakine heli pro doesn't, I live in Portland and since Dakine's HQ is in Hood River it's not that far away.

I've got a bunch of Dakine packs, and every time I've had a problem (the webbing at the bottom of a shoulder strap got cut through by a ski edge once, and numerous other hard use inflicted problems) they've always replaced stuff for free. In fact my heli pro which had the ripped webbing, they didn't have the same color webbing, so they replaced all the webbing on the pack for me, then overnighted it to me in AK since I dropped it off before leaving on a trip to go up there, they didn't charge me a dime (even for shipping).

In short, whether I prefer another pack or not, I can't turn my back on that kind of service... unless I really really prefer another pack ;)

Allow me to plug the Indigo Reve... it's super cool. http://www.indigoequipment.com/images/Reve2005_450.jpg

Otherwise, I'm a fan of the BCA and Osprey stuff as well.

I'll second the Indigo Reve. It's a bit on the small side but has a great carrying system for skis and the hydration/skin pockets rule. BCA packs are over-rated: the hose/shoulder strap is a nuisance to use, suspension picks up snow, and the construction is mediocre.

anyone have experience with the Jandd Mountaineering Tozi Kletter?

looks like a pretty sweet, simple pack. and comparatively very cheap

thread resurrection: i got a north face shuttle 30 pack for christmas. it's decent until it's about half-full, and then all the functionality breaks down. can't carry skis, blah blah. also, it's impossible to thread a hose through the hydration opening, and the diagonal carry loops are kind of small (94mm waist-skis).

Anyone have on-snow experience with this pack? Do my complaints become problems, or does it end up doing well?

I was thinking about a BD Frenzy pack. Same price (I can return my north face pack, i believe/hope.) Anyone use this? I'd sometimes use it inbounds, and in the future use it for day trips in the BC. Would this pack fit that kind of use?

SAC -- if there's any left.

I've been carrying the Dakine Vertex for a little over 2-years now. Bomber pack. Slightly bigger than the Heli Pro (1300 cu in), but without the ability to carry a snowboard (which doesn't bother me in the slightest).

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Originally Posted by runethechamp

I'll say as I always have, get an Ortovox. This looks like a good size as well.

http://www.backcountry.com/store/ORT...1770cu-in.html

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Looks like a sweet pack. I love my Ortovox Aquila pack. It's got a decent capacity but seems to remain low profile to your back. Easily enough room in there for my DSLR kit, probe, shovel, food, hoodie and a bladder. Not particularly high tech or showy but a rugged piece of kit.